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Greater Lowell Tech board may cast wider net for next superintendent

By Sarah Favot, sfavot@lowellsun.com

Updated:
02/17/2013 07:15:53 AM EST

TYNGSBORO -- As Greater Lowell Technical High School Committee members grapple with news of Mary Jo Santoro's decision to retire, they are looking to move quickly on starting an open search process for a new superintendent.

Many School Committee members said they would like the search to include candidates from outside the school district.

Greater Lowell has had a tradition of choosing superintendents within the district.

The search process has always been opened up outside of the school district, committee member George O'Hare, of Lowell, pointed out, but the past four superintendents were promoted up the ranks within the school district.

O'Hare said he didn't know if there was any interest from in-house people.

"I think there are some very qualified people that could move into that position, but I don't think the superintendent has to be someone from within, but the best possible candidate," O'Hare said.

When Santoro was hired in May 2010, there was one finalist from outside the school district and another candidate from within the school district, former dean of discipline Jane Connell. Connell received one vote. The outside candidate did not receive any votes.

Some committee members had expressed support for Santoro before the search process began.

O'Hare said the committee must move quickly to attract candidates before they are hired by other school districts.

"The longer we wait, the less the field will be," he said.

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Erik Gitschier, of Lowell, said he would like to see the process open and would be in favor of someone from outside the building.

"It's time for a new beginning," he said.

Ray Boutin, of Lowell, said the committee discussed at its meeting last week they would like to advertise outside of just Lowell or Boston.

"Whether or not there's a good candidate from inside the school, I would really want to see a wide net cast throughout New England, at least. It could be even farther out," he said

Boutin said he would like to see a candidate who has had experience with a school renovation or building project.

"I'd like to have somebody that has as strong a work ethic as Mary Jo Santoro and Bob Lussier. Their work ethic was second to none, both put in a lot of hours," said Boutin.

Assistant Superintendent/Principal Robert Lussier is also retiring at the end of the school year after more than 30 years in the district.

One name as a possible in-house candidate mentioned has been Paul Mears, chairman of the science and math cluster.

Mears did not respond to a request for comment as to whether he is interested in the position.

Dean of Discipline Tim Fallon, a top administrator at the school, told The Sun he does not plan to apply for the position.

O'Hare said he would like to see the next superintendent be someone who can attract students to Greater Lowell by marketing the school to parents.

"We will have to continue to make Greater Lowell a school that parents know is safe and educationally sound," he said.

He also noted the superintendent will have to oversee the $64 million renovation project, focus on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System scores, and raise additional revenue.

David Tully, of Dunstable, the longest-serving member on the committee, said he would like to see the same qualities of past superintendents in new candidates.

"To me, if we can keep the same caliber that we've had from Bill Collins to Sheila Herbert right on through, they've always been very good. If we can keep the same qualities of the last four, I'll be happy," Tully said.

Committee members also expressed surprise at Santoro's decision not to seek a contract extension and wished her well.

"She really cares about the school and she really did her best to try to make the school better," said Boutin.

Tully said he was very disappointed and that Santoro's departure is a loss to the school.

He agreed with Santoro about what she called the committee's poor behavior during its January's meeting, where it discussed Santoro's compensation in public session.

"I think she was on the money. The January meeting was horrible, you don't treat people that way. So I think that was probably the icing (on the cake)," Tully said.

The board will meet on Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. to begin the superintendent search.

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